Bold Prediction: Ravens QB Lamar Jackson to Overtake 49ers Brock Purdy in MVP Race
The Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers meet in what some are calling a Super Bowl preview at Levi's Stadium on Monday night. The 11-3 Ravens and the 11-3 49ers will be looking to continue their good form as the game pits superb defenses against stellar offenses.
But there is one storyline that might have been missed when looking at this game - the MVP race.
For most, Brock Purdy is now the clear leader after Dak Prescott and Jalen Hurts put forth poor performances, but for NFL Network analyst Matt Okada, when asked to make a bold prediction for Week 16, he didn't hold back.
"Lamar Jackson has only ever defeated one team that entered the game with 11-plus wins: the Chargers back in Week 16 of his rookie season," Okada wrote. "That is largely due to the fact that he's missed 11 December and January games in his career. Regardless, it's a monkey that Jackson needs to shake off his back to silence the remaining contingent of doubters. In an extremely tough matchup (and potential Super Bowl preview) with the 49ers, I predict Jackson pops off for 300 total yards and three total touchdowns to upset San Francisco and leapfrog Brock Purdy in the MVP race."
Jackson and Purdy do battle on Monday night in what is a true heavyweight clash.
Now that certainly is a bold take and given that Purdy leads or is near the top in most key quarterback stats as he is first in passing touchdowns (129), passer rating (119), second in completion percentage (69.8), second in passing yards (3,795), has an 11-3 record and only seven interceptions, it makes it even more so.
But can Jackson overtake Purdy with a stellar performance on Monday night?
Lamar has fewer passing yards (3,105), fewer touchdowns (17), a lower completion percentage (66.3), a 96.5 passer rating, and also only has seven interceptions. So one would think Lamar is likely well behind Purdy in the MVP discussion as it stands.
But if, and that's a big if, Jackson can put on a show at Levi's Stadium, play a clean game, and lead the Ravens to a convincing win, then who knows how the bookmakers will look at the MVP race.
It is a bold take, but that doesn't mean it can't happen.
